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Devotional: Power Not Talking

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 (ESV)

The church needed a new fax machine. An email thread was circulating among various church leaders. A deacon wrote the specifications of the machine. The information technology person wrote that it was in stock at the store. Someone else said that we need to hurry up if we are going to buy it because that model doesn’t stay around long. Then the associate pastor reminded the group that if we hurry we can catch the treasurer before she goes home for the day. Someone else asked about the return policy on the machine. Then someone else asked how the church could ensure only proper use of the machine. The emails went on for a few more minutes. A lot of typing was happening, but no one was buying the machine.

Portrait of surprised african man talking on the phone isolated on a white background

You ever had something important to do, but you found many ways to talk about the activity? You studied the activity. You planned the activity. In fact, you talked about what you would do if you were successful and what you would do if you failed. The only think you hadn’t done is the activity in question.

It is easier to talk about doing something than to actually do something. It is easier to walk around the issue than to actually get something done. I know, I’ve been there.

In our text, the Apostle Paul separates himself from many who just “talk the talk.” No, he was going to look at these talkers face to face and evaluate them based on not the talk, but the power.

On that email thread, the pastor finally tired of all the talking and wrote a simple email, “Deacon, buy this and install it tomorrow.”

Today is the day you stop studying, planning, and talking about something that God has called you to do. Right now, today, Do it in God’s name!

Heavenly Father, we beg of you to forgive us of our inaction in the fact of your leading. Guide us from being merely talkers to being actors who demonstrate your power in our lives. In the powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen.